Agreed on the Georgia statement. I’ll rearrange my list a tiny bit as mentioned, potentially throwing in one private school for reach (I’m still debating between Auburn & University of Alabama, probably will do Auburn).
Thanks for your input!
Not really tbh. I retract my statement, I’m fine with the current list (containing modifications):
Reach:
- Rice University
- University of Texas
Target:
- Georgia Tech
- University of Illinois
- Purdue University
- Virginia Tech
Safeties:
- Clemson
- Auburn
- GSU
- UGA
I guess the fundamental argument I am hearing as I continue my research is that as long as you can get an ABET-accredited degree, then it doesn’t really matter. The only time it truly has an impact is if the college has an outstanding program, commonly well-reputed, etc.
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That’s fine but what if you don’t meet the requirements. Wouldn’t one of the other three that have Civil (Kennesaw, Ga Southern)make more sense in case you end up four years there ?
Either way, I’m glad you’re considering all the angles. Good luck and when it’s all over I hope you come back next year with your final results.
With that situation in mind, I would do Kennesaw State University. It is simply closer, and from my knowledge, it has a better program than GA Southern.
I like your list!
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KSU’s engineering school used to be southern Polytech. They merged several years ago.
As an aside, my s chose Rice over GT many moons ago. Different environment and the fit was much better for him (we are also ga residents)
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GT technically does not consider legacy during application. But in reality admission looks at it, especially when they choose students from waitlist (legacy more likely will commit from waitlist especially after deadline).
GT application asks are you legacy or not (if it would not be part of weighting at some point, why ask?)
For GT historically legacy is a big thing since there are literally generations of engineers from same families in Georgia who attended GT. (Very different from people with fat wallets at Ivies)
When GT became terribly competitive and these “legacy” kids were not able to get in with top scores and obvious interest (and families complained), GT created legacy pathway.
In fact, at this point most legacy students are transferred students, and many are OOS.
My DD was groomed to go to GT like OP.
We have literally every family member with a degree (or 2) from GT (like 6 family members.) She was told from childhood that if she will study hard, she will go to GT. Not getting to GT initially was heartbreaking for her.
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I thought Southern Politech became KSU like 25+ years ago. I remember that time.
Rice is great school, but it would cost OP definitely more than just room and board (with Zell or Hope) for GT or UGA.
It was not that long ago! (around 2015 or so) that southern poly and KSU merged. Just giving some history as to its engineering programs . And making sure op knows some of the classes may be on a campus a few miles away. KSU has really grown from the mostly commuter school it used to be.
Yes, unless the OP gets a significant scholarship at Rice, it will be out of reach for one on a budget. But they said budget was not an issue. Just giving a point of reference, should the opportunity present itself for the OP.
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Just shooting my shot with Rice & UT to be honest, that’s why they are reaches. It’s been difficult explaining that KSU is a viable school, at least in comparison to past years to my folks
More like they said that the parents will figure out the budget later. I.e. the OP will not find out which schools are too expensive until next April.
They said this in the first post, which is what my comment refers to:
“ Cost Constraints / Budget
- no big concern about budget, just want viable colleges
The poster clarified their budget: “By budget, I can probably do 30-50k per year,” and the thread title was updated.
IMO it’s now fair game to be pointing out schools that won’t come anywhere close to being in budget.
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Even $30-50K is wide - and the student should have a firm sit down with the family.
They may have - as the student said something to the extent that if I have one acceptance and it’s $86K+ (Rice) - then they’ll figure out a way.
This, of course, turns out disastrous at times. One student yesterday thought they had an affordable school after turning down school after school after school, and came back and I don’t know why - but his $20K offer now isn’t $20K - and he has no home - and has to gap year or Junior College. That student was also in engineering…
It’s always best to avoid these issues and have that budget covered up front.
But if the student would really be ok attending Kennesaw and wouldn’t come back with a - what do I do - I thought I’d be going to a top school and I can’t - then they’re ok.
But applying to schools, just because I want to shoot my shot, in the end is an inefficient reason - taking time to write essays, etc. and having no chance of attending when one could have chosen others to apply and had more real choices that were possible for them to attend.
But everyone is different and to each their own.
[quote="tsbna44, post:75, topic:367
But if the student would really be ok attending Kennesaw and wouldn’t come back with a - what do I do - I thought I’d be going to a top school and I can’t - then they’re ok.
[/quote]
Ok, I fully appreciate that some people on these boards tend to be overly conservative, but in what world is a Ga resident with a 4.0 unweighted GPA, IB diploma, ranked 2 out of a class of 750 and taking GA Tech multi variable calc and linear algebra going to end up with KSU as the only affordable option? UGA is a safety for this student and they should be an auto admit to honors. Assuming OP does well in the Tech math, I would probably put the chances at GA Tech at over 80 percent based on the outcomes of kids I know.
Auburn and Clemson were the safety schools for my Georgia kids. Both applied engineering and received the top merit at each school with slightly lower GPAs but comparable rigor and test scores. Total cost of attendance for my S22 came out to around $33k for Auburn and around $48k at Clemson. I believe UGA with Hope/Zelle comes out around $20k. Bottom line is that if Op applies early action, they will have acceptances to all three of those schools by Thanksgiving. GA Tech decisions come out in early December. I really don’t even see the need to apply to GSU or Kennesaw unless for some reason that is preferable to UGA. If something unexpected happens in early action, there is still plenty of time to throw in a couple of additional applications.
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This I agree with. A Bama you could get until May 1. And it’s be $20k all in. But there’s time although you never know a lot housing
I think consensus above was likely for Ga Tech.
The debate is really about worst case.
Budget - somewhere the student mentioned family wouldn’t want to spend more than a GA school -
And then questioning Rice and UT based on budget.
And if the student wanted environmental - less schools offer….30 that are ABET, none in GA.
But it really does become a - if not Tech in some crazy way bcuz most every has acknowledged the odds are very good.
It’s debating the worst case scenario really…and does the budget get thrown away for Rice, UT ?
But your thread truly is spot on unless OP deviates….from his not paying more than for a Ga School - which only a BAMA, UAH, MS State and maybe a few others - likely meet OOS.
But you are right, Ga Tech is the likely outcome up front.
I personally believe though in planning for worst case. We do see studs not do it - and get burned. That’s all this is.
This is a very valuable post.
The only academic chokehold I can foresee this academic year is my ranking dropping to between 5-7 due to taking an honors art class rather than another AP (statistically bound to happen due to disparities in weighting of classes). I somewhat doubt it harms my chances as it would still place me in the top .01% of my class.
Anyways, GT distance math is a PRIORITY, emphasizing that to show my level of understanding of how valuable this is in relevance to my application and chances w/ GT. By early action time, GT will only have my grades up to last year and, thus, will have to track my current progress through GT math grades.
I will add that you brought up a very interesting point about deadlines for early action and how it allow me to apply for safeties later and in time for regular decision. I personally think this is the appropriate course of action considering I have limited time to complete ‘x’ amount of college apps in addition to, what I would consider, a tedious workload. I will keep GSU & KSU as back-ups if I don’t get into UGA or GT in early apps.
However, this brings up my next question: what schools on my list are beneficial to apply early action? For reference, I’ll repost the list at the bottom of this message.
@tsbna44 I very much understand your mindset to be safer than sorry, or to prepare the worst as it is a mentality I have been raised with. However, I believe that @Greatpyrmom 's suggestion is a compromise of both worlds. I can prioritize colleges I want to go to, specifically the ones on my list, and then I can adjust by applying to extra GA safeties considering GT is my ride-or-die choice. Many say, out of this threat, that GT is extremely likely, yet I would hate to doubt it so I get it - that sense of hesitancy.
Here’s the list:
Reach:
- Rice University
- University of Texas
Target:
- Georgia Tech
- University of Illinois
- Purdue University
Safeties:
- Clemson
- Auburn
- Virginia Tech
- UGA
Safeties to consider after early action failure: KSU, GSU, Georgia Southern
Once again, thanks to everyone for their assistance!
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My suggestion would be to try to apply early action to all the schools that offer it. I would recommend getting your Clemson app in as soon as it opens because they base housing priority on the date your application is submitted. I would then try to get Auburn in by the September 15 EA 1 deadline. You will hear back from them by mid October and it’s just nice to have that under your belt. (Plus that pretty much guarantees you will get a merit scholarship).I don’t think either Auburn or Clemson have supplemental essays.
( Except for the honors college applications which you can do later) My S22 submitted what wasn’t even the final draft of his common app essay and Im kind of doubtful whether either school actually read it.lol
After that, I would prioritize UGA and GA Tech applications. Be sure to spend a lot of time on your GA Tech supplemental essays. It is more important than most people realize. Take the time to familiarize yourself with professors whose research interests you, extracurriculars you want to be involved with, classes you want to take. Explain how you see yourself using the opportunities available at Georgia Tech to achieve your goals in life. Extra bonus if you can tie this in with their school motto of “progress and service”.
Good luck 
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The problem is the vagueness the OP is getting from parents about what the budget actually is.